Windermere Baptist Conference Center

The life-changing ministry of Windermere Baptist Conference Center was mentioned in Sunday’s Kansas City Star. The headline of the article read, “Church camp turned around a troubled childhood.” Here are a few highlights from the story about how a young teenager, Jerry Johnston, was saved at Windermere:

Johnston says he was a troubled and rebellious child who spent much of his time partying and doing drugs.

... “I was into pot and downers, and I was hospitalized twice. I was a 68-pound burnout on a liquid diet at one point.”

Things got so bad, Johnston said, that he considered committing suicide by swallowing valium.

... In June 1973, at the age of 14, Johnston went to Windermere Baptist Assembly camp near Roach in central Missouri.

“I never prayed so much in all my life,” he said.

... That night, June 21, 1973, Johnston said he invited Christ into his life.

“I went from a freak to a Christian,” he said.

Two months later, Johnston said, he dedicated his life to full-time ministry. He began spreading the gospel, starting a Bible study at his school and, according to his biography, speaking an average of 25 times a week to clubs and organizations through his high school years.

Amen! Johnston’s Windermere experience is similar to many others as he is just one of thousands whose lives have been forever changed by the ministry of Windermere. Last year, Johnston shared this story on James Dobson’s Focus on the Family radio show. Because of the ministry of Windermere and the faithful Missouri Baptists who have supported it, Johnston’s life was drastically changed and he has positively changed the lives of thousands more through his ministry work.